NEWS
19 SEPTEMBER 2025 ASIAN TRADER 7
NEWS
As we head into autumn and the
crucial Christmas trading
period approaches, there’s
never been a more important
time for independent retailers
to showcase what makes them
special. The recent success of
our inaugural Love Your High
Street Awards demonstrated
just how much the British
public values businesses that
dare to be different.
When Headhunters Barber
Shop & Railway Museum in
Enniskillen, Northern Ireland,
was crowned our winner at the
start of September, it wasn’t just
because they cut hair well, it was
because they had the vision to
create something genuinely
unique. Who else would think
to combine traditional barber
ing with railway heritage?
The lesson here is profound:
uniqueness isn’t about
following trends or copying
what works elsewhere. It’s
about understanding your
community, your passion, and
finding creative ways to bring
them together.
So how can you make your
business shine in the months
ahead?
Tell Your Story - Every
independent retailer has a story
worth telling. Whether you’re a
family business passed down
through generations, a
passionate specialist who left
corporate life to follow your
dream, or an innovator solving
problems in your community –
share that story. Customers buy
into narratives that resonate
with them.
Embrace Your Expertise –
Your knowledge and passion are
your greatest assets. Big chains
can compete on price and
convenience, but they can’t
compete with specialist
knowledge, personal service,
and genuine enthusiasm for
what you do. Make this
expertise visible – through
demonstrations, workshops, or
taking time to educate custom
ers about your products.
Create Experiences, Not Just
Transactions – Headhunters
doesn’t just cut hair – it provides
an experience that children
with autism find comforting
and that brings families
together across generations.
What experience does your
business create? How do you
make customers feel special
from the moment they walk
through your door?
Be Proudly Local - Your
connection to the local
community is irreplaceable.
Celebrate local history, support
local causes, stock local
products, and become an
integral part of the neighbour
hood fabric. This isn’t just good
business – it’s what makes high
streets vibrant and alive.
Invest in Your Presence - As
we approach the golden quarter,
now is the time to refresh your
window displays, update your
social media, and ensure your
shopfront truly reflects the
quality of what you offer inside.
First impressions matter, and
your exterior should tell
customers they’re about to
discover something special.
The high street needs
businesses that are proud to be
different. In an increasingly
homogenised retail landscape,
your uniqueness isn’t just an
asset – it’s essential for survival
and success.
This month, in his regular column, Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre
explores what it means to be unique on the high street
Keeping the high
Keeping the high
street unique –
street unique –
your time to shine
your time to shine
Parfetts extends
Parfetts extends
own-label medicines
own-label medicines
range
range
Wholesaler Parfetts is stepping up
its push into own-label medicines
with the launch of Go Local
Paracetamol Tablets, following the
successful debut of its Go Local
Ibuprofen line in January.
Available in 16-pack tablets, the
new SKU is positioned to give
retailers industry-leading returns,
with a POR of 62.1% at a £1.00 RRP,
which is more than double the
average achieved on branded
equivalents.
The move reflects Parfetts’
growing ambitions in own label. Its
range has now surpassed 250
lines, accounting for 22% of total
sales.
EG Group exits Italy and
EG Group exits Italy and
Oz in latest sell-off
Oz in latest sell-off
EG Group has announced the sale of
its businesses in Italy and Australia,
marking another phase in its
strategy to refocus on core markets
and cut debt.
The company confirmed that it
has agreed to sell its Australian arm
to fuel retailer Ampol in a deal worth
A$1.1 billion (£580m), comprising
A$850m in cash and A$250m in
Ampol stock. Completion is
expected by mid-2026, subject to
regulatory approval.
This follows EG’s announcement
of a €425 million (£360m) sale of its
Italian operations to a consortium of
local players.
Man jailed for Devon
Man jailed for Devon
knifepoint raid
knifepoint raid
A man who robbed c-store staff at
knifepoint in a Devon seaside
town has been jailed for 4 years.
According to Devon and
Cornwall Police, Ben Fone, from
Torquay, admitted robbery and
possession of a knife after the raid
at the Post Office and conveni
ence store on Union Street in
Torquay on Oct 17 last year.
Fone forced his way into the
employee area and forced the
staff member to open the cash
drawer. He then grabbed £2,305
cash and fled the scene on a
push-bike.
By Andrew
Goodacre, CEO
of Bira (British
Independent
Retailers
Association)